RICHARD DAWKINS: HIS VIEWS ON CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Scientist Richard Dawkins has become involved in another Twitter row, claiming it would be "immoral" to carry on with a pregnancy if the mother knew the foetus had Down's Syndrome.

He stated this on his twitter as a response to another site user saying ‘they would be faced with "a real ethical dilemma" if they became pregnant with a Down's Syndrome baby.’

He tweeted: @inyourfacenyer Abort it and try again. It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you have the choice. He also said ‘If I were a woman with a DS foetus I personally would abort. So do most women in fact. If you wouldn't, good luck to you, it's your decision.’

He faced a backlash for his comment, with one mother, who has a child with the genetic condition, saying: @inyourfacenyer @richarddawkins @aidanmccourt I would fight till my last breath for the life of my son. No dilemma.

Prof Dawkins later defended his view, saying he would not apologise: ‘I do not for one moment apologise for approaching moral philosophic questions in a logical way. There's a place for emotion & this isn't it.’

The Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) responsed to Prof Dawkin's initial comment.“People with Down's Syndrome can and do live full and rewarding lives, they also make a valuable contribution to our society. At the Down's Syndrome Association, we do not believe Down's Syndrome in itself should be a reason for termination, however, we realise that families must make their own choice.

The DSA strives to ensure that all prospective parents are given accurate and up to date information about the condition and what life might be like today for someone with Down's syndrome.”